I've just decided to try to learn to write at 34! I have no knowledge or experience of creative writing, I just know I enjoy crafting stories and I love George RR Martins effortless style. This video was wonderful. I need to resesrch some of the words you used but thank you for creating this content! It's very enjoyable!
When I need help with writing, I refer to other writers and writers classes, but one of the most underrated and invaluable tools for writers is booktubers; it offers an entirely new dimension to writing advice. It takes everything you’ve learned and elevates it to a new level because these people are bibliophiles, they’re among the exact people we tailor to and their advice gives us so much to work with because we get a chance to hear what is missing or what might give a story more flavor and added depth. I always stress the importance of listening to booktubers because they tell us what works and what doesn’t and offers so much rich variety and advice.
I've always thought so too. I learned a lot from booktubers back in the day (and still do). I did, however, find that technical advice was a bit lacking, so I do my best to make the types of videos I wish I'd had when I was starting out.
@@coreyhuffman7607there is a great video by Jerry B. Jenkins "Show, Don't Tell". He does a wonderful job of describing how to show and not tell in 14 minutes. It was the "booktuber" video that jumpstarted my voracious consumption of "booktubers".
Instantly subbed, your channel is great and will probably blow up soon. I love the aesthetic of you sitting in your studio with the idea board and books, and its cool how you put in the effort to dynamically highlight each passage you discuss. Really helps us follow along and see the writing techniques you're digging up! The only recommendation I have is to maybe either change up the music when you're reading, or remove it altogether. The cheery tune is good for a greeting but doesn't really match the vision of Bran climbing the castle haha
I'm happy you feel that way! My motivation for starting this channel was to make the kind of videos I wish I'd had when I first began scouring the internet for writing advice, so I'm always glad to hear when someone finds them helpful 🙂
@@coreyhuffman7607 after a year of not writing I opened up my files and began writing because your videos helped a LOT♥️ Keep up the good work, I'll await the day to read your book
@@coreyhuffman7607 I KNEW it! hehe I started trying to read LOTR years ago and it was the most boring intro I could imagine. I put the book down and never read them. I understand now what I like and do not like and a long boring history of elves and orcs and dwarves at the start is not what I want to spend my time reading about. I think I haven't missed anything not reading anything by GRRM and what's up with two Rs? I guess I'm not interested even in that else I'd have looked that up already. haha Keep rockin and thx for your tips.
@@TruthSurge I understand what you mean with regards to LOTR, although I would give GRRM's "A Song of Ice and Fire" some serious consideration (though only if you're a fan of epic fantasies, of course). Or perhaps even just read the prologue, if you're looking for a taste.
@@coreyhuffman7607 Nah, I know that it is not for me. I don't have that kind of time! And the whole kings/queens/dragons/elves.... that's just too cliche for me. I read they took SOIAF and made game of thrones from those books and I read a tad of opinions and it seems it's just a bunch of people and their problems. Big soap opera posing as fantasy. nah. Not interesting to me. I kind of want to get away from crowds and soap operas and probably not much mainstream will appeal to me. thank ye.
Hmm, I'll have to think about it. "Plotting" is a very broad topic, and I tend to focus on very specific writing techniques. Plotting is essentially "story structure," and literary scholars have written many books on the subject. Although perhaps I could make a video where I describe how to structure ideas into a coherent story. That will allow me to really dig into what "story" means, and the difference between "a meaningless sequence of events" and a compelling narrative. In the future, once I've finished editing the epic fantasy I've been writing for several years, I want to make some BIG videos that cover every major aspect of writing I've learned, and I can see myself covering this topic in one of those. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask in the comments of any of my videos. I'm here to help 🙂.
I prefer prose that conveys descriptive details via dialogue or via the actions of characters (e.g. _The moment that the light of the overhead lamp shone onto them, the mice scurried across the old and creaky wooden floors, scrambling to several holes that were in the baseboards of the worn-down wooden walls_ ). I don't like large exposition dumps via which a narrator tells the reader certain details about a character's past or a setting; it takes me out of the story.
I agree with you; I think combining description with action/consequence is a great way of captivating the reader. Although like any technique, whether or not you can implement it depends a lot on the context/situation your writing about. Exposition gets a lot of hate, but I find it has its place, so long as it's not over done and conveyed in an interesting/relevant manner. You bring up a great point though!
Pop quiz. Did you know gargoyles are spouts/drains whereas the monstrous statues are properly caled "grotesques"? .... too slow. That's ok. Hope you find it interesting even though I can't give you a grade on the pop quiz.
Thanks for the factoid, Dan! It's amazing how many little misinterpretations worm their way into the public consciousness. I never would have second-guessed it.
@@coreyhuffman7607 lol. You're welcome. I'll give you an extra A+ as extra credit. Regarding the content of the actual video... I am planning to rewatch before any feedback to ensure I am soaking it in properly. Looks like you have made great progress on your book! Congratulations.
Taken out of context, any excerpt is likely to feel a bit lacking. That being said, I would argue that this section describes one aspect of Bran's character quite well (namely, his love of climbing, and how he enjoys the bird's eye perspective it provides). It is also very significant to the plot (though there's no way you can know this from reading this excerpt alone; if you want spoilers, let me know lol). Character development typically happens over the course of many chapters, not in just two paragraphs.
![[2] The Prose of George R R Martin | Why You Should Contrast Your Descriptions](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/hl9MF6PEnC8/mqdefault.jpg)
![[2] The Prose of George R R Martin | Why You Should Contrast Your Descriptions](/img/tr.png)
"...in a way that even Robb would never know.". Beautifully written, and this scene in general sort of foreshadows Brans future as a greenseer.
I've just decided to try to learn to write at 34! I have no knowledge or experience of creative writing, I just know I enjoy crafting stories and I love George RR Martins effortless style. This video was wonderful. I need to resesrch some of the words you used but thank you for creating this content! It's very enjoyable!
When I need help with writing, I refer to other writers and writers classes, but one of the most underrated and invaluable tools for writers is booktubers; it offers an entirely new dimension to writing advice. It takes everything you’ve learned and elevates it to a new level because these people are bibliophiles, they’re among the exact people we tailor to and their advice gives us so much to work with because we get a chance to hear what is missing or what might give a story more flavor and added depth. I always stress the importance of listening to booktubers because they tell us what works and what doesn’t and offers so much rich variety and advice.
I've always thought so too. I learned a lot from booktubers back in the day (and still do). I did, however, find that technical advice was a bit lacking, so I do my best to make the types of videos I wish I'd had when I was starting out.
@@coreyhuffman7607there is a great video by Jerry B. Jenkins "Show, Don't Tell". He does a wonderful job of describing how to show and not tell in 14 minutes. It was the "booktuber" video that jumpstarted my voracious consumption of "booktubers".
This is awesome advice. Keep making content dude.
you rock for this, currently watching all your grrm videos and it's so so helpful!!! thanks so much!!! ❤
You are the best like literally I’m going to share this with everyone this is so good you need way more recognition
That means a lot, I appreciate it!
Instantly subbed, your channel is great and will probably blow up soon. I love the aesthetic of you sitting in your studio with the idea board and books, and its cool how you put in the effort to dynamically highlight each passage you discuss. Really helps us follow along and see the writing techniques you're digging up!
The only recommendation I have is to maybe either change up the music when you're reading, or remove it altogether. The cheery tune is good for a greeting but doesn't really match the vision of Bran climbing the castle haha
Thanks for the feedback! I actually removed the music in my latest video because a couple others commented the same thing.
Thanks for the dissection, I am an avid follower of George and take inspiration from him for my novel
You have helped my writing so much!
It warms my heart to hear you say that, Jessie. Let me know if you ever have any specific questions; I'm here to help in whatever way I can 🙂.
Didn't expect Jaqen H'ghar in my feed
LOL
Just stumbled onto this video. Good luck on your writing journey!
Two years of watching UA-cam videos.... it's mit fair that I found this channel so late...
I'm happy you feel that way! My motivation for starting this channel was to make the kind of videos I wish I'd had when I first began scouring the internet for writing advice, so I'm always glad to hear when someone finds them helpful 🙂
@@coreyhuffman7607 after a year of not writing I opened up my files and began writing because your videos helped a LOT♥️
Keep up the good work, I'll await the day to read your book
your content is so high quality its actually amazing
I appreciate the kind words, @voiv0de. I do my best 🙂.
great video
Thanks, Tim. Glad you enjoyed it.
good stuff corey huffman !
Very well done, thank you!
Thanks, Shan. Happy to help!
Never read one Martin book. Let me guess... since he mentions climbing twice, this climbing business will come into play later in a huge way?
Yes! The climbing comes into play in a big way by the end of the chapter.
@@coreyhuffman7607 I KNEW it! hehe I started trying to read LOTR years ago and it was the most boring intro I could imagine. I put the book down and never read them. I understand now what I like and do not like and a long boring history of elves and orcs and dwarves at the start is not what I want to spend my time reading about. I think I haven't missed anything not reading anything by GRRM and what's up with two Rs? I guess I'm not interested even in that else I'd have looked that up already. haha Keep rockin and thx for your tips.
@@TruthSurge I understand what you mean with regards to LOTR, although I would give GRRM's "A Song of Ice and Fire" some serious consideration (though only if you're a fan of epic fantasies, of course). Or perhaps even just read the prologue, if you're looking for a taste.
@@coreyhuffman7607 Nah, I know that it is not for me. I don't have that kind of time! And the whole kings/queens/dragons/elves.... that's just too cliche for me. I read they took SOIAF and made game of thrones from those books and I read a tad of opinions and it seems it's just a bunch of people and their problems. Big soap opera posing as fantasy. nah. Not interesting to me. I kind of want to get away from crowds and soap operas and probably not much mainstream will appeal to me. thank ye.
Can you do a video about plotting
Hmm, I'll have to think about it. "Plotting" is a very broad topic, and I tend to focus on very specific writing techniques. Plotting is essentially "story structure," and literary scholars have written many books on the subject. Although perhaps I could make a video where I describe how to structure ideas into a coherent story. That will allow me to really dig into what "story" means, and the difference between "a meaningless sequence of events" and a compelling narrative. In the future, once I've finished editing the epic fantasy I've been writing for several years, I want to make some BIG videos that cover every major aspect of writing I've learned, and I can see myself covering this topic in one of those. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, feel free to ask in the comments of any of my videos. I'm here to help 🙂.
You look like a completely human (no lizard blood) Rhaegar Targaryen. Bookish nature included.
Lol (thank you?)
I prefer prose that conveys descriptive details via dialogue or via the actions of characters (e.g. _The moment that the light of the overhead lamp shone onto them, the mice scurried across the old and creaky wooden floors, scrambling to several holes that were in the baseboards of the worn-down wooden walls_ ). I don't like large exposition dumps via which a narrator tells the reader certain details about a character's past or a setting; it takes me out of the story.
I agree with you; I think combining description with action/consequence is a great way of captivating the reader. Although like any technique, whether or not you can implement it depends a lot on the context/situation your writing about. Exposition gets a lot of hate, but I find it has its place, so long as it's not over done and conveyed in an interesting/relevant manner. You bring up a great point though!
Pop quiz. Did you know gargoyles are spouts/drains whereas the monstrous statues are properly caled "grotesques"? .... too slow. That's ok. Hope you find it interesting even though I can't give you a grade on the pop quiz.
Thanks for the factoid, Dan! It's amazing how many little misinterpretations worm their way into the public consciousness. I never would have second-guessed it.
@@coreyhuffman7607 lol. You're welcome. I'll give you an extra A+ as extra credit. Regarding the content of the actual video... I am planning to rewatch before any feedback to ensure I am soaking it in properly. Looks like you have made great progress on your book! Congratulations.
That's not really good writing to me. Just a very wordy description of things that have little meaning to the plot or the character's development.
Taken out of context, any excerpt is likely to feel a bit lacking. That being said, I would argue that this section describes one aspect of Bran's character quite well (namely, his love of climbing, and how he enjoys the bird's eye perspective it provides). It is also very significant to the plot (though there's no way you can know this from reading this excerpt alone; if you want spoilers, let me know lol). Character development typically happens over the course of many chapters, not in just two paragraphs.